Owner of iconic Pat’s cheesesteaks in Philly forced to work in NY over Knicks bet

The owner of Philadelphia’s iconic Pat’s King of Steaks, Frank Olivieri, found himself in unfamiliar territory as he sported a “Philly Sucks” T-shirt and worked at a Long Island eatery to pay off a bet he made against the New York Knicks. The Knicks had just swept the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, leading Olivieri to fulfill his end of the bargain at Dario’s in West Hempstead.

Despite his initial allegiance to Philly, Olivieri embraced the experience, admitting that he was now rooting for the Knicks to go all the way. The bet had originated when Dario’s and other local spots decided to temporarily ban “Philly cheesesteaks” from their menus in support of the Knicks, rebranding the sandwich as the “Philly sucks” cheesesteak. This move caught Olivieri’s attention, prompting him to place a bet with the restaurant’s owner and diehard Knicks fan, Louis Cretella.

During his shift at Dario’s, Olivieri had to don the “Philly Sucks” shirt and prepare both Pat’s and Dario’s style cheesesteaks, using cheese whiz for the authentic Philly taste and Cooper sharp cheese for Long Island’s preference. The atmosphere at Dario’s was electric, with Knicks fans flocking to support their team and enjoy the unique “Philly Sucks” cheesesteak.

The energy of the Knicks’ playoff run has even spread to local schools, with principals like Daniel McCabe of Nesaquake Middle School showing their support by changing the school sign to cheer on the team. The excitement has reached a fever pitch, with students and faculty joining in on the fun by declaring spirit days and donning Knicks apparel.

The enthusiasm for the Knicks is palpable throughout the community, with even the Central Islip district holding spirited events to rally behind the team. Superintendent Dr. Sharon Dungee, a dedicated Knicks fan, found herself torn between a budget vote and watching the thrilling game 1 matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

As the Knicks continue their playoff run, the support from fans like Olivieri, Cretella, McCabe, and Dungee only grows stronger. The energy and excitement surrounding the team are infectious, bringing the community together in a shared passion for basketball and hometown pride.